The best restaurants in Cape Town

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An up to date list of Cape Town's favourite restaurants and foodie hotspots.

Food24 HQ is always abuzz with the cool new restaurants and foodie destinations popping up all over Cape Town – (if you want to be in the know then just click on our Cape Town restaurant section where we load new restaurants and other interesting foodie events daily).

Because the Mother City is such a popular destination all year round we’ve decided to put together a list of some amazing places to suggest to your friends and family when they are here, and if you haven’t tried them out yourself, then we think it’s time that you did.*Please note that no actual restaurants were harmed in the process of putting this list together – we encourage you to recommend your favourite place to eat in Cape Town in the comments below so that we can all discover them.

Here are Food24’s top recommendations for eating out in Cape Town:

CAPE TOWN CBD & CITY BOWL

The Dog's Bollocks & The Bitches' Tits – Roodehek Rd, Gardens - AKA The YardIt’s a hipster city, literally, with 3 totally stellar food loving concepts all tucked away on Roodehek in Gardens. And, Deluxe coffee, the pinnacle of an awesome roast, sports their headquarters there too. They’ve got Mucky Mary’s that serves a “hubcap” breakfast until 4. The Bitches Tits rocking classic sandwiches from around the world like the sexy meaty Philly cheese steak. And, if you are lucky (and punctual enough), the Dogs Bollocks serves a daily dose of 50 gourmet burgers (after 5).

Tip: The Yard actually looks like a low budget garage until you take a peek inside, but doesn’t that make the prize of finding it that much sweeter?

Food24's top choice of dim sum and Asian Fusion. Small, laid back and fun. Wine list is designed to go with dim sum, but can be rather limited.

Tip: The whole menu (off a blackboard) can go down in one night! It's awesome.

Takumi – Park Rd, GardensSit down, order quickly, and get serious about your sushi, Takumi isn’t for the iffy. Papa San’s caricature sits jolly on the wall, while he slaves away to make you the most funky and tasty sushi in Cape Town. Beware: there are no substitutes, changes, or nonsense, his sushi is the real deal and if the master says it’s good, trust him, it’s damn good. Takumi’s creative genius inspires rolls with strawberry, rocket, banana, fresh rice and buttery fish.

Tip: Bring friends who like to share, you will want to taste everything, yes, you will.

The Black Sheep - Kloof StreetThis is the place to be in Cape Town right now. A blackboard menu that changes daily and a nice bar area spilling out onto vibey Kloof Street provides a great setting for any lunch or dinner plans. Book. Book now.

Tip: If you want visitors to experience Cape Town vibe, take them to The Black Sheep, followed by a nightcap at the nearby Power & the Glory bar.

Weinhaus + Biergarten - Bree Street (Formerly known as &Union)Home of the Bree Street Burger and let's not forget their famous hot-diggety hot dogs. The buzz post-work is second-to- none. Home of the Brewers & Union craft beers. Best on a nice day to sit outside. Live music.

Woodlands Eatery – Vredehoek Great for a chillaxed burger or pizza paired with a craft beer if you’ve just hiked up Lion’s Head or Table Mountain.

Tip: Seafood linguini.

Plant - Cape Town CBDThe premium vegan destination in Cape Town - a spacious, urban-chic, fresh location in the CBD. Now open for dinner and serving vegan wine and beer.

(The new) Bizerca – Heritage Square, CBDA top end fine dining bistro. Set in Heritage Square with a large fairy light laden courtyard, this is a great place to go for amazing food and a lovely vibe. There is an ever-changing chalkboard menu and superb service by the maitre d’ Raphael who will woo you with his French accent.

It’s easy to go gaga for Tamboers Winkel: the fresh farm eggs, the smell of fresh bacon, the gorgeous red velvet cupcakes teasing you behind the display case, it’s all just a bit of magic. The burger night on Thursdays is a MUST DO.

Tip: Brunch it up on Sunday with a French toasted croissant topped with your choice of savoury or sweet, they are both equally as good and don’t worry because both have bacon, because what’s a Sunday brunch without it?

Bocca - Bree StreetOpened November 2014 to rave reviews. From the owner of Burrata comes more sophisticated Italian food in a trendy area with plenty of vibe.

Dear Me Foodworld - Longmarket Street, CBDA whimsical and stylish day-time brasserie situated just a few yards from Green Market square. Breakfasts are wholesome with the choice of fresh juices and expertly made Espresso Lab coffee. The lunch menu (which changes daily), incorporates seasonal produce with ethically farmed meat. The restaurant prides itself on catering for those with food intolerance with items being offered as lactose/sugar/wheat/gluten-free for added convenience.

Tip: Eggs Benedict and interesting salads.

The White Room at Dear MeSituated at Dear Me and only open on Thursday and Friday nights this food experience is perfect for celebrations and special occasions. A once-in-a-lifetime personalised food and wine experience.

Tip: You might want to take your notebook to write down the wines you try. Out of this world.

Sometimes hard to find an Italian where the pastas are as good as the pizzas. Many believe these are the best pizzas in town. We think they do a mean pasta sauce. Tip:Try the Calzonicini.

Jason Bakey - Bree Street, CBDBree Street in Cape Town IS the new black. And Jason Bakery is the jewel in this crown. A local artisanal bakery serving freshly made bread daily. Follow your nose as the smell oozes out onto the street from baked goods cooking by people who love to make beautiful food. Their blackboard menu changes often for your palate's pleasure and the beer flows for your daily dose of relaxation.

Tip: try the freshly baked original doughsant on Sat mornings! A treat!

Tip: Enjoy a nice bottle of wine with the Charcuterie platter and stare at the mountain before dinner.

WOODSTOCK & SALT RIVER

The Test Kitchen - Salt RiverBook now, before you even finish reading this article, and you'll be lucky to get a table in 2 months. Not South Africa's Number 1 restaurant for nothing. This is where you will experience food Nirvana.

Tip: Top restaurant in South Africa for 2012, 2013 and 2014. A well deserved accolade.

Pot Luck Club - Salt RiverThe super-trendy and ultimate epicurean destination is located at the top of the Silo tower at The Biscuit Mill. The view is now just as noteworthy as the epic tapas style dishes you are served.

Tip: Absolutely anything on the menu – the broccoli mops being buzzed about at the mo. Oh, and BOOK EARLY!

The Dining Room - WoodstockThe name says it all – the idea is that you are sitting in the dining room of someone’s house, being served humble, flavoursome food in an unpretentious environment. Karen Dudley is very hands on – making her way from the kitchen to front of house, chatting to guests and literally being the ultimate hostess with the mostess. She oozes style and her edgy take on classic dishes is a real treat. More brilliance from Karen Dudley owner of The Kitchen (next door and also worth a visit).

Tip: after a good run on the promenade pick up something healthy from Nu.

The Grand Beach Café (Granger Bay)The most popular and most searched for (on the internet) restaurant in South Africa. Sports a home-made beach and ideal setting for any sundowner opportunity.

Tip: Don’t let an indifferent waiter get on your nerves. Just have another of their awesome cocktails.

La Mouette - Sea PointWith arguably the most dedicated and friendly service team in Cape Town, this lovely court-yarded restaurant is popular with locals, and also visitors to this busy part of the Atlantic Seaboard. On any balmy evening the buzz is awesome with Chef Henry always coming up with new flavour combinations.

Tip: Every month they have a new tasting menu with wine. Try it. SOUTHERN SUBURBS

Erawan - Chelsea, WynbergLovely Thai restaurant in the cute village of Chelsea, Wynberg. A beautiful interior and is always full to the brim as it is great value for money. You can control the heat of your dish from mild to smoking hot.

Tip: definitely try the dumplings followed by a stir-fry.

Starlings Café- ClaremontA beautiful café with a gorgeous outside garden on Belvedere in Claremont. Perfect for breakfast and lunch with really delicious and interesting menu items.

A cosy and cute French-style daytime café in the heart of Chelsea Village, Wynberg. The décor is adorable and one cannot leave without taking home a sweet (and perfectly cooked) pastry. The chocolate brownie cookie is to die for and you will want to go back just for that! Perfect spot for a lazy weekend brunch with your significant other or a small group of friends.

Warning: they are SUPER busy on weekends so go early as they don’t take bookings.

The location and venue are like something out of a movie. Fantastic estate wines and bubbly are accompanied by a seasonal pop-up restaurant, craft beers and ciders. This season's pop-up restaurant is The Sushi Box.

Tip: Take someone if you want to show off.

The Foodbarn - NoordhoekGet yourself out of the city and head out to Noordhoek Farm Village. Franck Dangereux, chef extraordinaire cooks up fine dining in a beautiful barn. There's a huge outside play area for kids, deli and plenty of cool shops to browse after your delicious meal.

Tip: Franck is a master of food and wine pairing and he always has special pairing menus.HOUT BAY

The Chapman’s Peak Hotel – Hout BayIf you like prawns, clamari, fresh salad and a view then this is the place to go. Also a nice bar inside serving beers on tap if you fancy a pint of Stella while you wait for your table.

Tip: The prawn and calamari combo with Greek salad. Kitima – Hout BayA celeb favourite (Halle Berry went there) and known to be one of SA's top Thai restaurants. Tip: Their Happy Duck is happy-making.

Massimo’s – Hout BayVoted by our readers the Best Pizza in Cape Town. Truly awesome pizzas in a lovely setting. So worth the drive to Hout Bay.

Tip: Every single pizza on the menu is worth trying, and a magnificent specials board if pizza is not your thing.

Food markets worth visiting

And if that isn't enough foodie fodder then you absolutely must go to at least one of the markets Cape Town has on offer...

And keep your eyes peeled for the Cape Town food trucks - they can be found at Oudekraal on Wednesdays and sometimes at the Hope Street Market on Thursday... they are well worth tracking down, and lots of fun! Follow them on @CTFoodTrucks for updates.

The Eastern Food Bazaar off Adderley Street is teeming with authentic, amazing, cheap and cheerful Halaal food. Awesome for takeaways or just sit and enjoy the hectic stream of busy people.

If you feel this list is missing something special then let us know what and why in the comments below and we'd love to add it to the list if it deserves a mention.

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